Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

Notification of Student Rights: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) (www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html) is a federal law that affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights are: 

(1) The right to inspect and review their student education records that are maintained by the university. 

Students should submit a written request to the University Registrar and identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The request must include the requestor’s full name, date of birth, and student identification number. The Registrar’s Office will make arrangements for record access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the requested records are not maintained in the Registrar’s Office, the student will be notified of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed. The university has 45 days to comply with the request. 

(2) The right to request that the University correct records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

If the university decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the university decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth the student's view about the contested information. 

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent such as release to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR §99.31):

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;

• Other schools to which a student is transferring;

• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;

• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;

• Organizations conducting certain studies for, or on behalf of, the school;

• Accrediting organizations;

• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;

• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and

• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law. 

 (4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Hawai‘i Pacific University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The Office that administers FERPA is: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20202-8520. 

Institutions may disclose information about a student without violating FERPA if it has designated that information as directory information. At Hawai‘i Pacific University directory information includes:

HPU is under no obligation to release directory information to anyone who inquires. FERPA only states that an institution may release directory information. When in doubt, HPU will not release directory information and may require that a written release from the student be provided before directory information may be released. 

Students have the right to restrict the release of their directory information. To exercise this right, a student must submit a written and signed request to the HPU Registrar’s Office in person or by mail. A request form is available at the Registrar’s Office or in downloadable format at www.hpu.edu/registrar/ferpa.html. Once the request is filed it becomes a permanent part of the student’s record and shall remain in effect until the student instructs Hawai‘i Pacific University, in writing, to remove the restriction. Completed forms can be submitted to the HPU Registrar’s Office, 500 Ala Moana Blvd, Ste. 5A, Honolulu, HI 96813 in person, and/or via email (registrar@hpu.edu) or fax (808) 544-1168. 

The university will not disclose official transcripts and/or non- directory information to a third party without prior written consent from the student, or as allowed as an exception under FERPA. 

Questions regarding the rights of HPU students and/or the release of information that FERPA allows can be directed to the University Registrar, 500 Ala Moana Blvd, Ste. 5A, Honolulu, HI 96813; at (808) 544-0239 or registrar@hpu.edu. Students may also refer to the Student Education Records Policy section in this Handbook.  The complete regulations and full definitions of terminology are at https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/

Parental/Guardian Notification

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) permits the university to notify the parents/guardians of any student under the age of 21 of any violation of its Alcohol and Drug Policy or in the event of a health or safety emergency. 

• Parents/guardians may be notified by phone if a student is transported to an emergency room or other emergency treatment center for drug use or intoxication. 

• Parents/guardians, or the listed emergency contact, may be notified by phone if staff believes a student’s health or safety is at serious risk.

• Parents/guardians may be notified in writing if a student has committed a serious violation of Alcohol and Drug policy.

• Parents/guardians may be notified by phone if a student is a harm to self or others. 

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Policy

HPU is in compliance with the requirements of GDPR and similar privacy regulations, as applicable. For reference, the University’s policy can be found at: https://hpuedu.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010307, and a FAQ article may be found at: https://hpuedu.service-now.com/sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0010306